Nordstrom Unveils Bridal Boutique

Nordstrom Inc. (Seattle) is stepping into the bridal business with its first in-store bridal boutique at its Chicago flagship on North Michigan Avenue.

The specialty department store plans to unveil 14 bridal salons, called the Wedding Suite, at stores nationwide during the next six weeks. The pilot concept was tested in nine stores this past spring, resulting in a 30 percent boost in new customers to the store, according to the retailer, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The Chicago store features a glass-encased boutique on the third floor with its own entrance, marble tile floors and oversized fitting rooms furnished with upholstered seating for the bride's friends and family.
Future locations include Oak Brook, Ill.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Canoga Park, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.; Coral Gables, Fla.; Paramus, N.J.; Garden City, N.Y.; Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; McLean, Va.; and Seattle.

Nordstrom joins several other retailers in dressing brides for their big day, including J. Crew, which opened its first free-standing bridal boutique in Manhattan, White House/Black Market, with its first bridal salon on Oak Street in Chicago opening this past summer, and Urban Outfitters, which is introducing a wedding concept in the third quarter of 2011.